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Program Description

Contracts, Government Approvals, Financing, Construction and More

Knowing how to guide your clients through the major milestones of a project is vital to building a lucrative real estate development law practice. Join our experienced faculty as they walk you through the development process with real-world insights, practical tips and resources. From contracts and due diligence to construction and more, gain the skills you need to keep the project moving, safeguard clients from risk, and save them time and money. Help bring clients' visions to life - register today!

Gain tips on negotiating a variety of contracts, from purchase agreements to construction contracts and leases.

Use due diligence to spot (and protect clients from) title, environmental and other concerns.

Learn how to work with local government to get the necessary development permits and approvals.

Find out how to create easements or deal with property rights that can hinder development.

Receive practical advice for avoiding conflicts of interest and other ethical issues.

Who Should Attend

This basic-to-intermediate level seminar provides practical insights on the real estate development process for attorneys. Developers, title insurance professionals, real estate agents/brokers, zoning, land use and planning professionals, lenders, and paralegals may also benefit.

Managing Risk and Avoiding Pitfalls in Construction Development and Management9:45 - 10:30, Written by Joseph M. Leone. Presented by Joseph M. Leone in Indianapolis and Kenneth M. Florey in Merrillville.

Available Insurance Programs: Ensuring Clients are Covered

Knowing and Enforcing Key Contract Provisions

Change Order Best Practices

Project Communications and Documentation: Who, What and How to Document

Using Outside Consultants and Architects

Dispute Resolution Options and Pointers

Conducting Title and Other Due Diligence10:45 - 11:15, Written by Jeffrey A. Abrams. Presented by Jeffrey A. Abrams in Indianapolis and Tracy A. Coleman in Merrillville.

Practical Tips for Title Review

Reading Surveys

Finding and Addressing Environmental Issues

Conducting Land Use and Other Due Diligence

Working with the Community and State/Local Government Agencies and Boards11:15 - 12:00, Written by Rayanna A. Binder. Presented by Rayanna A. Binder in Indianapolis and Tracy A. Coleman in Merrillville.

Accreditation Details:

Credit Information

Continuing Legal EducationIN CLE - 6.00

Includes -
Ethics - 1.00

This course has been approved by the Indiana Supreme Court Office of Admissions & Continuing Education. Participating attorneys are eligible to receive up to 6.0 hours of CLE credit, which includes 1.0 hour of ethics. Newly admitted attorneys may receive 6.0 hours of new attorney CLE.

OtherAICP - 6.00This activity has been approved by American Institute of Certified Planners for 6.0 CM credits, including 1.5 law credits. 100% attendance is required to receive CM credit.

IN Insurance - 6.00This course has been approved by the Indiana Department of Insurance for 6.0 hours of credit. 100% attendance is required to receive credit.IACET - 0.60NBI, Inc. is accredited by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) and is authorized to issue the IACET CEU.
NBI, Inc. is authorized by IACET to offer 0.60 CEUs for this program. At the end of the program, participants must complete a self-assessment in order to receive credit. 100% attendance is required. (Provider #1004558)

Upon completion of this course, attendee will be able to:
1. Identify three key contracts in real estate development.
2. State change order best practices.
3. Explain two things to look for during due diligence.
4. State key government approvals and permits that may be required.
5. Name a legal entity that is often used for development projects.
6. List three different financing options.
7. Describe how to deal with restrictive covenants that may impede development.
8. Identify one conflict of interest scenario in real estate.

December 3 - Indianapolis

JEFFREY A. ABRAMS is a partner in the law firm of Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP, in the firm's real estate & environmental practice group. He represents banks and lending institutions, developers, landlords, tenants, builders, contractors and all types of business owners. Mr. Abrams has represented companies and lenders in documenting different types of transactions, including acquisition and development of land, shopping centers, office and industrial buildings, acquisition of businesses, development loans, construction loans and leases for various property types. He is the author of several articles that have appeared in the Indianapolis Business Journal and has frequently spoken for the International Conference of Shopping Center Law, ICLEF, and National Business Institute. Mr. Abrams is listed in Indiana Super Lawyers, Best Lawyers in America, and Chambers USA Leading Lawyers for Business. He is a member of the Indianapolis and Indiana State bar associations, and the American College of Real Estate Lawyers (ACREL). Mr. Abrams earned his B.S. degree from Miami University; and his J.D. degree, cum laude, from Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law.

RAYANNA A. BINDER is a private contractor with the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA), where she serves as the director for the Blight Elimination Program. Prior to working for IHCDA, she practiced primarily in the areas of real estate and title insurance litigation. Ms. Binder is admitted to practice before Indiana state courts and the federal district courts for the Northern and Southern districts of Indiana. She earned her B.A. degree from Purdue University and her J.D. degree from Robert H. McKinney School of Law-Indianapolis, where she was named to the Order of the Barristers.

K. DOUGLAS COOK is owner of Cook Legal Services, LLC. His practice primarily consists of corporate executives, small businesses, professionals and entertainers. His services include general business management; estate planning and administration; analyzing business results; representing clients before tax authorities; structuring, negotiating and financing the sales and acquisitions of businesses; and structuring business relationships and compensation arrangements. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Indiana CPA Society, and the Indiana State Bar Association. Mr. Cook is admitted to practice law in the state of Indiana, the United States Federal Court-Northern and Southern districts of Indiana, and the United States Tax Court. He received his B.S. degree, cum laude, from Ball State University; and earned his J.D. degree, magna cum laude, from Indiana University School of Law.

PROF. SARA ANNE HOOK is professor of informatics at Indiana University School of Informatics and Computing, IUPUI, where she has developed a suite of courses in the emerging field of legal informatics. She also has served as adjunct professor of law at the Robert H. McKinney School of Law, Indiana University, Indianapolis, where she has taught courses in intellectual property law and professional responsibility. Professor Hook is admitted to practice in Indiana and before the Supreme Court of the United States. She is a member of the American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA), the Indiana State Bar Association, and the International Legal Technology Association (ILTA). Professor Hook regularly publishes and gives presentations on intellectual property law, electronic discovery, legal technology, legal research techniques, and issues related to privacy and security. She earned her B.A. and M.L.S. degrees from the University of Michigan; her M.B.A. degree from the Kelley School of Business, Indiana University; and her J.D. degree from the Robert H. McKinney School of Law, Indiana University, Indianapolis.

JOSEPH M. LEONE is a partner in the Indianapolis law firm of Drewry Simmons Vornehm, LLP, where he practices in the areas of construction and public contract law. His practice consists of representing general and trade contractors, construction managers, suppliers, design professionals, and owners in all aspects of the construction process, including contract drafting and negotiations; bid disputes; advising clients on construction phase issues, such as design errors, differing site conditions, constructive changes, delay and impact claims and other field performance issues; and representing clients in mediation, arbitration and litigation procedures related to construction disputes. Mr. Leone earned his B.S. degree in civil engineering from Purdue University and his J.D. degree from the Indiana University School of Law at Indianapolis. Prior to becoming a practicing attorney, he was employed for seven years by the Indianapolis-based general contractor/construction manager Geupel DeMars, Inc., as a project engineer and project manager. Mr. Leone is a member of the American Bar Association (member, Forum Committee on the Construction Industry; Public Contract Law Section), the Indiana State Bar Association (past chairman, Construction and Surety Law Section), the Indiana Construction Association, the Associated General Contractors of America (chair, CM At Risk Model Legislation Drafting Committee), and the ConsensusDOCS Integrated Project Delivery Contract Drafting Committee. He is a frequent author and lecturer and conducts continuing education classes for architects, engineers, and other lawyers on construction law-related topics.

NORMAN R. NEWMAN is senior counsel in the Indianapolis office of Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP, practicing within the firm’s real estate practice group. He is the author of numerous articles on commercial real estate-related topics and has lectured on these topics for the Indiana Continuing Legal Education Forum, the International Council of Shopping Centers, and other organizations. Mr. Newman is a fellow of the American College of Real Estate Lawyers, and is listed in Who's Who in American Law and The Best Lawyers in America. He earned his J.D. degree, with distinction, from the Indiana University McKinney School of Law, and is now an adjunct professor there.

December 4 - Merrillville

TRACY A. COLEMAN is an attorney in Gary, Indiana, where she has a federal law practice. She is a member of the Indiana State Bar Association.

KENNETH M. FLOREY is a partner with Robbins, Schwartz, Nicholas, Lifton & Taylor, Ltd. He concentrates his practice on representing public and private clients, including municipalities, school districts, community colleges, private owners, contractors, and design professionals regarding land use, municipal law, construction, tax, finance, and litigation. Mr. Florey was the former chair of the DuPage County Bar Association's Local Government Committee for 2001-2002 and 2010-2011. He served as a trustee for the village of Lombard for eight years. Mr. Florey earned his B.A. degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and his J.D. degree form DePaul University College of Law, where he was managing editor of the DePaul Journal of Art and Entertainment Law.

DANIELLE L. KAISER is vice president and regional underwriting counsel with North American Title Insurance Company. She provides underwriting support for agents in Indiana and Ohio, as well as the eastern region. Ms. Kaiser serves as NATIC's forms counsel. She takes an active role as NATIC's e-notarization and e-closing team advisor and in broader underwriting issues for NATIC. Throughout her career, Ms. Kaiser has taken a decisive role in developing legislation and compliance matters. She graduated, cum laude, from the University of Notre Dame with dual majors in finance and economics. Ms. Kaiser went on to graduate from the Indiana University School of Law - Indianapolis. She has earned the prestigious National Title Professional designation from the American Land Title Association. Ms. Kaiser is a past president of the Indiana Land Title Association and past chair of several of its committees. She is a member of the Ohio Land Title Association, serving on its Education and Government Affairs committees. Ms. Kaiser is admitted to practice law in Indiana and is a member of the Indiana State Bar Association. She is a member of IndyCREW and is a CREW National Leadership Certificate candidate.